Date of Birth: April 8, 1937
Zodiac Sign: Aries
Biography
Seymour Myron “Sy” Hersh is an American investigative journalist and political writer renowned for his groundbreaking and often controversial exposés. Born on April 8, 1937, in Chicago, Illinois, Hersh began his career in journalism in the late 1950s. He first gained widespread recognition in 1969 for his Pulitzer Prize-winning report on the My Lai Massacre during the Vietnam War, which unveiled the brutal killing of hundreds of Vietnamese civilians by U.S. soldiers. Hersh’s career is marked by his relentless pursuit of truth and his willingness to challenge authority. Over the decades, he has written extensively for publications such as The New York Times, The New Yorker, and The London Review of Books. His investigations have covered a broad spectrum of topics, including the Watergate scandal, CIA covert operations, the U.S. military’s treatment of detainees at Abu Ghraib prison, and the inner workings of American foreign policy. Despite facing significant pushback and criticism from various quarters, Hersh has maintained a reputation for rigorous investigative journalism. He has authored several books, including ‘The Price of Power: Kissinger in the Nixon White House’ and ‘Reporter: A Memoir,’ which offer deeper insights into his investigative work and journalistic philosophy.
5 Interesting Facts about Seymour Hersh
1. Seymour Hersh won the Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting in 1970 for his groundbreaking coverage of the My Lai Massacre.
2. He has received multiple George Polk Awards for his investigative journalism, exemplifying his consistent contributions to the field.
3. Hersh’s book, ‘The Price of Power: Kissinger in the Nixon White House,’ won the National Book Critics Circle Award and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize.
4. He broke the story of the Abu Ghraib prison scandal in 2004, detailing the abuse and torture of Iraqi prisoners by U.S. military personnel.
5. Hersh has been a staunch critic of U.S. foreign policy, often highlighting the ethical and moral implications of government actions.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Seymour Hersh
1. “My attitude is: If you want to be a journalist, then you have to do the work.”
2. “It’s not just the fact that people lie; it’s that their understanding of what’s happening is so flawed.”
3. “The press is a watchdog, but it is also a participant in the democratic process.”
4. “The job of the journalist is to challenge the prevailing wisdom.”
5. “I’m not a cheerleader for the government. I’m a reporter.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Seymour Hersh’s highest net worth is estimated to be around $5 million.
Children
Seymour Hersh has three children.
Relevant Links
1. [Biography on Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Seymour-Hersh
2. [Pulitzer Prize-winning My Lai Massacre report](https://www.pulitzer.org/winners/seymour-m-hersh
5. [Seymour Hersh’s books on Goodreads](https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/29351.Seymour_M_Hersh
